Build Club

About this event

Aura Meets the Bay: Builders, Investors & AI Join Aura Ventures x Build Club for an evening bringing together the founders, operators and investors shaping what’s next across AI, technology and venture. Aura Ventures is in San Francisco to deepen our commitment to the founders building between Australia and the US - those who’ve made the Leap, and those seriously considering it. We’ve backed ambitious companies from day one, supported global expansion - with 75%+ of our portfolio graduating internationally - and have played active roles in guiding companies through IPO and major exit outcomes. About Aura Ventures • Top Australian VC fund with vintages in the top decile and quartile globally. • Seed-stage specialist and long-term partner. • High conviction lead investor, having backed Shippit, Gamurs, Catapault, Haast and Isaacus. Build Club’s origins are closely linked to Aura (grab Annie for a drink to learn the lore and find out how you go from working within Aura to partnering with us). We know how to identify exceptional talent early and support builders as they scale into the US. If you’re building at the frontier or thinking about bridging the gap between Australia and the US — join Partner Mark at Starlite for a "frothie" (Aussie slang for your favourite cold beverage). Meet the Investor: Mark Esterhuizen Mark Esterhuizen is a globally recognised entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and corporate leader celebrated for transformative impact in technology, investment, and innovation. Top 35 Under 35 finalist, Mark has scaled two of Australia and APAC’s fastest-growing technology companies, delivering 40x revenue growth, 10x customer expansion, and over $30M in capital raises to build a $180M+ enterprise. With nearly two decades of experience spanning KPMG Financial Services, Deloitte Consulting and Commercial Advsory, asset management, banking consulting, venture capital, private equity, and strategic advisory, he has driven IPO strategies, advised leading tech firms across APAC, and led high-performance teams through complex corporate transformations. His expertise spans eCommerce, marketplaces, AI, blockchain, and supply chain innovation. Today, Mark is a Partner at Aura Group and a venture capitalist standing at the epicentre of high-growth ecosystems, on the hunt for vertically AI-enabled software businesses that inspire and transform today’s way of life.